If it feels like you haven’t seen a dry day since New Year’s, you’re not imagining it. Britain has officially recorded rainfall somewhere in the country every single day of 2026 to date, making this one of the dampest starts to a year in recent memory.

After 41 consecutive days of rain, umbrellas and waterproofs have become everyday essentials. This winter has already earned a place among the wettest on record, and unfortunately, there’s little sign of a break on the horizon.

Weather data confirms that since January 1, rainfall has been logged somewhere in the UK without interruption. In several regions, totals are running around 50% higher than what’s typical for this point in the year. Cornwall and County Down, in particular, have both experienced their wettest January since records began.

So what’s behind all this persistent drizzle? Meteorologists point to a southerly jet stream that has repeatedly funnelled low-pressure systems straight towards the UK. The result has been a steady cycle of unsettled weather, bringing frequent downpours, strong winds, and occasional wintry conditions.

The figures make for fairly bleak reading. England has already seen nearly 60% of its usual monthly rainfall, despite being only ten days into the month. Southern England has been hit hardest, recording roughly 72% of its average February rainfall so far, while the north has seen a comparatively modest 39%.

As for when things might finally dry out, the forecast isn’t offering much optimism — especially for those in the capital. Current predictions suggest London could be in for rain for at least another ten consecutive days. So for now, it’s probably wise to keep those wellies close at hand.